2024/03/06 by Venkat Venkatasubramanian, Venkatasubramanian, Venkat, Jessica Shi +7
Medicine · Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #FOS: Computer and information sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models #Multiagent Systems (cs.MA) #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2403.04084
openalex publication_date 2024/03/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Contrary to the widely believed hypothesis that larger, denser cities promote socioeconomic mixing, a recent study (Nilforoshan et al. 2023) reports the opposite behavior, i.e. more segregation. Here, we present a game-theoretic model that predicts such a density-dependent segregation outcome in both one- and two-class systems. The model provides key insights into the analytical conditions that lead to such behavior. Furthermore, the arbitrage equilibrium outcome implies the equality of effective utilities among all agents. This could be interpreted as all agents being equally "happy" in their respective environments in our ideal society. We believe that our model contributes towards a deeper mathematical understanding of social dynamics and behavior, which is important as we strive to develop more harmonious societies.